She dropped the phone, and cleared her throat, as her cheeks heated up with pink. Reading a message was one thing, studying each word, and reading repeatedly was another. She had never read such a short message for more than two seconds. But still, she wanted to keep staring at the message. It was an odd feeling. One she couldn't quite comprehend. Feeling giddy, and loved was something girls experienced in high school, or earlier than that, but for Vera, it was different. Such had never happened to her in all her life. So, the giddy feelings she ought to have had back then in school—she was finally experiencing it. The sweet feeling of having someone all over you. Someone who sees you differently, someone in whose eyes, you were a completely, different, and intriguing person. The feeling of being desired was as sweet as a juicy apple. It left her longing for more. She wanted to really know what he saw in her, how she looked to him, and what he would do if she refused to accept him. She wanted to think, and think and think about it. She wanted to keep fantasizing about the first man who showed an interest in her. She had always been classified as the boring lady. When other girls had dyed their hair, worn mini skirts, and turned the midnight clubs upside-down, she had always been in a corner reading. Maybe she ended up richer than them, she couldn't tell, but she knew she was earning more than enough. Her hard work had paid off after all. Despite being excited by the message, she decided to ignore it, as she didn't want to sound desperate, or ready to tally with him. She wanted to still be the mysterious lady in his sight. Replying to him made it feel like he would know she had been staring at his message for hours. Just then, another text dropped, and she jumped. Now, he was going to know she had been staring at it because it would write *seen* the very moment he dropped it. She sat upright, and began to think of the excuse she'd give. Maybe she accidentally opened the text, or was cooking, or was too tired to reply, or… "Why are you thinking so much!? It's just a text!" She snapped, holding her head, looking like she was about to scream in frustration. *Don't know if your beautiful brown eyes are still open, but if they are; I hope those perfectly shaped teeth can also open in a smile matching the beauty in your eyes. Tonight, you looked mesmerizing, and I really can't wait to see that charming beauty of yours tomorrow evening, same time, same place, Vera, if you'd like… Although I'd be pleased to let you know that I'll like it very much.* Reading the text made her smile at how skillfully he used his descriptions. The words 'beautiful', 'perfectly', 'mesmerizing', 'charming'— echoed in her head continuously. She eventually chuckled, and rose to her feet. Having an admirer was nicer than she ever thought it was. Those days back in school, she wondered why she hadn't paid attention when people around her talked about boys, and dating. Maybe she'd have had a clue on how to handle things, now that they were happening to her. Vera decided not to reply to the message. She wanted to keep him waiting. She also didn't want him to think she was desperate to meet with him. She downed the rest of her wine, and went straight to her room, where she took a long shower, before going to bed. ~ The next day, she walked past the coffeeshop in which they had met, and stared at it lingeringly. There, she had encountered someone new. At work, she found that she couldn't concentrate much, but kept on thinking of the stranger. "You look a little down." She said to Charles, as they both arranged some files into a documentary. "And you look the opposite.' he replied tiredly, without sparing her a look. Vera's cheeks flushed red, and she sniffed to shift the awkwardness of the question. "We should be optimistic daily, not come to work frowning, or we'll never be able to do things right." She said, and he scoffed. "Fortunately, you look brighter than usual, and have been smiling to yourself for some unidentified reason." He drawled, picking up a bunch of papers, slowly. "Smiling?" She said, just to fill in the space of a response. After that, she said nothing more. She didn't know how exactly she was to reply him.Later in the day, she and James supervised the new Teacher robots that were made. "I think we should have colors like brown too. There are people who like brown, and also grey. Making bright colors alone makes it feel like pleasing only the younger ones in their taste of color." She said, writing her suggestion down, as she explained it. "So what's next?" "Um… a discussion on the reason you've been smiling absent-mindedly all day?" He asked, and Vera was taken aback that two people noticed. "Smiling absent-mindedly? What do you mean?" She asked, deciding to play ignorant. "Oh, come on. There's a sweet smile on your face every few seconds. Have you met a lover or something? That will be shocking." He said, and she rolled her eyes. "A lover, my foot." "Then an admirer?" He asked, and Vera couldn't help choking on her saliva. "Can I take that as a yes?" He asked, with a teasing smile, and she rolled her eyes. "I just…met an old friend." She replied, with the lie tumbling out of her mouth faster than she could admit. "First love? An old crush?" James asked, still with a naughty smile on his face. "It's a girl!" She snapped. "Damn! Are you homo!?" He asked, unable to keep his voice low, and Vera glanced left and right quickly at the people there. "Are you out of your mind? Why would I be homo?" She asked in a fierce whisper. "But the smile on your face is like one in love." James said, and Vera wanted to snap at him, but couldn't. She couldn't deny the single strong beat of her heart. She wasn't in love, but the probability was there.